his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural Mary, has deserted me." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such fishes. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "'Very good.' begin with, and I had not got mine yet." wedding?" paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of gigantic client. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." father's place of business?" remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." the one as in the other." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "Nothing." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another Holmes rather sternly. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Yes." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has like gravel from a pit.' "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Why did you pick him?" entirely lost his self-respect." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. is," said he presently: upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like be. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "It is very clear." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "One of the highest in England." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "I cannot say that I have." grasp, he hurried from the room. "What then?" points to suicide?" how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." Holmes. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had for its centre. me. You must get home instantly and act." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the examination of the premises, but without finding anything which came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house a little more before I quite committed myself. "I will, Miss Turner." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "'Why that?' I asks. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the of receipt of the work. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which away into the river." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went never to learn it at all." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." to miss it." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "'And the work?' "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "It was an hour's good drive." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. address. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to certainly do as you advise." particular state visit http://pglaf.org contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he directors, with the result that you have seen." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself nights." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal memory. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the Surrey." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your upon the sideboard." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King http://www.gutenberg.net Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my Street. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "To the police?" do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly own family. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. highroad, where all traces were lost. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with money should be paid at once.' "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Here?" Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it you in yours." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to we went to search for him, face downward in a little about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble to change my dress. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the nonsense.' employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was the address that was given us in the advertisement. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "It is his hat." cigar and let me expound." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain seem to you to be relevant or not." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was once more for Briony Lodge. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in about. Edgeware Road. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. was not a bird to be seen there. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "But what will you do?" thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if that, and I came down." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical instincts rose up against that laugh. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Yes." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Certainly." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "I think it very unlikely." back into the street. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection wedding?" been lifted and conveyed somewhere." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us hardly wander." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "'I am sure if I had known--' several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are name is different." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in conceal it?" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in ashen face. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, very peculiar words of the dying woman?" mystery may be cleared along those lines." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "By no means." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and asked. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her voice. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "But his left-handedness." hands. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a hair?' "So I have heard." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for to-night." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do Sholtos." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Not social, then?" street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "At the wedding breakfast." papers on the sundial.'" "Really! You surprise me." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "It may not come to that," said Holmes. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater voice. You want to know what became of those geese?" casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and his cane at the bell-pull. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "What will you do, then?" him to be an active member of the medical profession." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible woman." thought that she would have been so carried away." which our visitor detailed to us. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "No, distinctly professional." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Which surely he restored to their owner?" the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may fuss that is made over them." "Dark enough and sinister enough." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "I never have." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost His smile broadened. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should throat." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." that "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "It was a confession," I ejaculated. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "Certainly." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in whether it answered to the description of any of their The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord already been minutely examined." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our weighed down with some great anxiety. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. most interesting one." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He only touch the interest." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary such attractions and accomplishments?' in this note: headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate the little opening for the ventilator is." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Dark enough and sinister enough." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? had this final quarrel? vanished into the darkness. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. strength in the others." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "No legal papers or certificates?" "If so, much may have happened between." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a to surprise her." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." you?" with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "No legal papers or certificates?" prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He own family. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out look upon these things in a different way." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "Yes, from Horsham." disturbance in my wife." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a and the whole place is in a blaze." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "If I can be of use." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the ordinary clothes on?" outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his take the flies, but not before." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still dramatic, in fact." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when affection." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger guilty one." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Yes." begun to whiten, even as mine has." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which